THE "RAPTURE"
First, we must take into consideration that it is not the fact that we will be gathered in the
"rapture" that is a real valid question, but rather only the timing of this "rapture".
This is actually based on a rapture study found in the "Prophecy Study Bible". New King James
Version. General Editor John C. Hagee. Copyright by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
It is made clear in the study guides contained within this book that Mr. Hagee is decidely
pre-trib in his beliefs on the timing of the "rapture" of the church. I once held that same belief
especially as that is what I had been taught. However, My miond is never satisfied with he said,
she said. So I went to the book and did this little study with a little broader outlook and an open
mind.
This is a short version of the rapture study that I had done before. Thought you might be
interested in checking out what I found. I am still in the midst of the large scale of study on the
end times. I think that people should at least prepare for the chance that we may have to live
through the tribulation even if they do not want to accept it as fact. It may save a soul, and that
soul may be their own ;). So with no further adue I will begin.
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1 Thess 4:15 (not refferred to while 16 and 17 are)
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain
until the coming of the Lord will by no means procede those who are asleep.
1 Thess 4:16,17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God.And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together.
***** verse 15 and 17 both state "...we who are alive and remain...". I find it odd that someone
would leave out 15 thatrefers (quite generally) to the timing,,and that as being "..until the coming
of the Lord...." would not be reffered to. Not to mention that this verse contains the important
fact of this being "..by the word of the Lord,..", and only reiterated later in vs 17 for clarification.
Yet, again, this verse is not referred to.
*the only timing found here is at "the coming of the Lord,"*
- I would also like to point out another interesting verse in the near by context
1 Thess 5:2
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in
the night.
PLEASE NOTE that this refers to the coming of the Lord as "the day of the Lord" while
again confiming that it will not be until then that Christ returns and we are to be gathered
to Him.
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2 Thess 2:1
Now,bretheren,concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering
together to Him, we ask you,
2 Thess 2:3 (not refferred to)
Let no one decieve you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the
falling away comes first, and the man of sins is revealed,the son of perdition,
***** Again, keep in mind that the timing is what is in question, yet, again the verse that holds a
key to the timing is not referenced. There is definately no room left here for doubt on either of
these two facts.
A. at "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"(vs 1) we will be gathered to Him.
B. "that Day" will be "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" after "the falling away" and
"the man of sins", that is "the son of perdition" is revealed.
-Now it is well known fact that the anti-christ is the one being reffered to in the text here.
That is not even disputed that I am aware of. So it is not until AFTER he is revealed that either
"the Day" of "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" or "our gathering together to Him" will come
to be.Not only does it spell this all out in black and white, but it, in truth, comes with a warning,
"Let no one decieve you by any means;" found in vs 3 (that,again, was not referanced).
*Remeber that the original writings did not have chapters and verses and in fact these 2
verses are from 2 sentences that are one right after the other.*
-in verses (2 thess 1:7-10) near to this context the timing is more vaguely talked of also
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John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and recieve you to
Myself; that where I am there you may be also.
***** This is indeed a beautiful scripture and a more beautiful promise from our Lord. However,
it does not concern the timing of the rapture, save possibly that it will only be after all the places
are prepared for Christ's followers. This, again, assures us of the gathering of the people in what
we reffer to as the "rapture", however the question that concerns us is what is the "raptures"
timing concerning the tribulation. That it does not answer (although we have had that answered
for us, even if we had to search for it in the context around the referanced verses)
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2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will
pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth
and the works that are in it will be burned up.
***** Please take a moment first to refer back to 1 thess 5:2, "the day of the Lord".
Here we are finally given referance to the timing of the rapture. Now, even within the referance
itself there is proof that "the day of the Lord" is the when the rapture will come into being. In and
of this verse itself it tells us that in that day the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and
the elements will melt with fervent heat;" it goes on to say that "both the earth and the works that
are in it will be burned up." Meaning every material thing of this world will be gone on that day.
Only that which is of the Lord will survive. This means that there is no earth (as it is "burned
up") for there to be a time of tribulation in, on, or around for that matter.
*I do need to still mention the oddity of there being no referance here to the gathering of
the church to Christ in this verse or the context closely surrounding it. *
- I would however like to point out once again, a warning given in the nearby text. In fact
it is but a couple sentences prior. (Do keep in mind that the original text did not have chapters
and verses seperating it and so it must be studied in the same way.) To take anything out of
context construes it's meaning if not completely defiling it. So here is another warning given us
about the end days.
2 peter 3:3-7
knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, wlaking according to
their own lusts,
and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of the water and in the water,
by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word,
reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.
***"scoffers will come in the last days"(the end times)"saying,'Where is the promise of His
coming?'..." If you would allow me the freedom of paraphrasing for you;
"Where is this supposed 'rapture'. See the one you describe as the antichrist has come and you are
being persecuted and killed. Where is this supposed Savior?”
-If you look back we are assured that "the day of the Lord" will come after "the falling
away". How many of these will fall do to there hope being hung on a pre-trib rapture? This is but
another time that we are warned.
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This is in truth the end of the (short) study I did on the rapture. I would like to refer you
also to Mathew 24. Christ assures us (from His own mouth) that all the things that we have read
here about the timing etc.. are indeed true and gives us further warning not to be decieved. If you
would, take a moment and look through the parable of the servant and the parable of the ten
virgins. Keep in mind while you read that the belief in pre-trib rapture has to do with the timing
of Christs return. Keep in mind that pre-trib believers may well be excpecting Him earlier then
He is going to appear.
Read through the ten virgins again. This time thinking of the oil as the fuel of there faith
and the five foolish having stored there faith up in the idea of his early return. I am nearly
positive you will find (as God shown me) that these are but more warnings from our Lord.
Parables were told ...
That hearing they would hear and should not understand
And seeing they will see but not percieve;
etc...
Matthew 13:16,17
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly I say to you
that many prophets and wise men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and hear what
you hear, and did not hear it.
*NOTE- MR Hagee is obviously a very sincere christian and his beliefs of salvation through Christ are no less valid.
I merely felt that it is neccesssary to note the dangers in tying the whole of ones faith up in the idea of
a pre-trib rapture. The end times are indeed set as a time of getting peoples hearts right with God. It is
In truth, the sins of man revisited on him. If you do a study of the end times you will see that Christians
will be tortured and killed. This is not God's doing however, It is mans. This is used however by God as a
chance for witnessing to the government officials and indeed the whole world. The plagues and pestilences are
Many times reverted from the christians. The chosen elect of God. So, God is not punishing the christians
that WILL BE going through the end times tribulation.
I have the utmost respect for the study that each and every person has done on the bible as it indeed
gets us one step closer to the understanding of the truth that is the Word of God. Special Thanks to Mr Hagee
and Thomas Nelson, inc
Mark Forbes
Contact Sorrow's Cloth
Continue the madness!